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Wildlife Protection Society of India writes: "With tiger pelts selling for $20,000 and a single tiger paw pulling down as much as $1,000, the value of a dead tiger has never been higher, according to those who investigate the illegal trade. Recently, the Indian government announced a surge in killings of tigers by poachers, with 88 found dead in 2009, double the previous year. Because figures are based on carcasses found on reserves or tiger parts seized at border crossings, conservationists say the true number is far higher." “All of the demand for tiger parts is coming from China,” said Belinda Wright, executive director of the Wildlife Protection Society of India. “Unless the Chinese change their attitude, the tiger has no future on this earth.” GO TO WPSI WEBSITE The tiger penis is said to go for $5,000 a plate at high end restaurants in China. Male patrons of the expensive dish are convinced they'll receive Viagra benefits and perform like tigers between the sheets.  Tiger in Thailand - by B.Seeton An excerpt by ANDREW JACOBS:
TIGER BONE IN WINE AND TIGER STEAKS AT THE RESTAURANT If there is any mystery about what happens to the big cats at Xiongsen Tiger and Bear Mountain Village in Guilin, it is partly explained in the gift shop, where fuzz-coated bottles in the shape of a tiger are filled with “bone strengthening” wine. The liquor, which costs $132 for a six-year-old brew, is sold openly across the surrounding Guangxi region and beyond. Tiger steaks were proudly served on the menu at its restaurant until negative press pushed it underground. These days, the park takes a more low-key approach. The word “tiger” no longer appears on the wine packaging — “rare animal bones” is used instead — although those who sell the wine say the key ingredient remains tiger bone. READ THE NY TIMES ARTICLE
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"Albatrosses are in terrible trouble. A type of fishing called longline fishing is killing 100,000 albatrosses every year - that's about one every five minutes," states The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.  RSPB explains, "Longline fishing boats put out thousands of baited hooks on lines that stretch for miles. The albatrosses are attracted to the bait, but when they eat it they get caught on the hook, pulled below water and drown." Unless we act now, most albatross species will become extinct. The History of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is very interesting. It was formed to counter the barbarous trade in plumes for women's hats, a fashion responsible for the destruction of many thousands of egrets, birds of paradise and other species whose plumes had become fashionable in the late Victorian era. READ MORE HISTORY You can click on the above image to go directly to their website or click on the various links here that Jasper has provided. ABOUT ALBATROSSES Albatrosses are among the largest flying birds. They soar thousands of miles across oceans without pause. Their only need to touch land is to nest and raise young. They mate for life and the males and females share in the incubation of the egg. READ MORE Why are albatrosses amazing? Albatrosses are true ocean-going birds. To survive their life on the ocean wave, albatrosses are perfectly adapted to survive in one of our planet's most extreme environments. More... Species at risk The threats faced by albatrosses are many and varied, so it is hardly surprising albatross numbers have declined at such an alarming rate that 18 of the world's 22 albatross species are at risk. More... A Global Partnership
It's great to see countries working together to save birds. All the organizations listed below have joined their talents and passion to help albatrosses. You can support their work by joining one of the partners. All the countries are represented on the BirdLife Global Seabird Programme committee, which meets regularly to share expertise and plan work together. Argentina Australia Birds Australia Brazil The Falkland Islands (Malvinas) France Japan The Netherlands New Zealand South Africa Spain Taiwan United Kingdom If your organization would like to support their campaign, please contact Conor Jameson at the RSPB: conor.jameson@rspb.org.uk, or telephone him on 01767 693030. If you like Jasper's work, let him know by clicking on the LIKE button on his Facebook page :) thank you!  Please, please, please ...... Did you know you can help a butterfly with a broken wing by gently using a piece of tape? Did you know you can give a weak or injured butterfly ... READ MORE  photo courtesy of Lori Frisch PHOTO CREDIT: The beautiful monarch butterfly is courtesy of photographer Lori Frisch. Please visit Lori's website at REDBUBBLE. Thank you Lori for lending your lovely image!! Read about the Monarch butterfly Beauty and the Blossoms. Lori also suggests this website : http://www.monarchwatch.org/ for great info.  Here's how a "den hunt" in Russia goes down. On snowmobile, an armed Russian guide with a dog takes you to a cave where a bear is hibernating. The guide lets the dog rouse the bear from a deep sleep and when she/he comes groggily out of the cave to see what all the ruckus is about, you then put the bear in your cross hairs and fire what you hope is a fatal shot. Should two bears wake up, you might experience an extra thrill and take that one out too. When mother bears are killed, baby bears are left to fend for themselves. You can imagine how well that works out. Fortunately, IFAW helps orphaned bears when it can.  Jasper Like Likes Bear - by Betsy Seeton SIGN A PETITION TO END THE DEN HUNTS Read how an adventure hunting outfit in Russia describes this kill for thrill hunt. I hope you'll sign a petition to end this atrocious type of "hunting". Who are the people who take delight in killing these bears??!  Jasper with the flag of Russia - by B.Seeton Straight from IFAW: IFAW is helping to rehabilitate Russian bear cubs orphaned by hunters so they can be released to protected forests. They are also campaigning for a ban on killing hibernating bears in Russia, which leaves hundreds of cubs to die. GO TO THEIR WEBSITE  Jasper Meets Bear - by B.Seeton P.S. Individual photos from any collage posted on Jasper's Blog are available for purchase. Please email betsy at livehonestly dot com with any questions or special requests.
 The hard part is knowing how to combat evil. It's such a challenge figuring out ways to make a real difference. I know so many people truly care. And I don't want to blame good people for the evil doings of others. At the same time, I think it's important that people don't turn a blind eye to the suffering going on in the world.
There are things we can do in our every day lives that will, and do, make a difference. It takes effort, time and sometimes even extra money to make a difference, but it matters; it's worth doing. A case in point is choosing to purchase products that are environmentally better for the world in terms of ingredients and in the way they are manufactured. And say no to products made by slaves. Industries like coffee, chocolate, bricks, cotton, and toys are high on the list of slave made products. The bulk of eggs come from hens living in horrendously abusive environments. (Jasper will soon be posting an article on this.) Do some research, people. Make a commitment to look at labels and learn what seals and stamps of approval are trustworthy. Put your dollars toward companies who care about people, animals and the environment. Consumers need to begin writing letters to their retailers and signing petitions telling, if not demanding, that clothing companies use slave free fabrics and demanding transparency and accountability in the entire chain of production. Enough for today .... just give thought to how you can make a difference... "Non-violence leads to the highest ethics, which is the goal of all evolution. Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages." - Thomas Edison  Albert with the Egypt flag - by B.Seeton Albert shines the spotlight on SPARE—Society For The Protection Of Animal Rights In Egypt.
The following is directly from their website: “The plight of animals in Egypt is long and involved, and stems from a range of reasons: an unsympathetic community that does not understand, and therefore does not respect, animals as sentient beings; harsh stray animal control; bad veterinary care; lack of education in regards to animal behavior; dire conditions in establishments selling animals… the list is endless. We witness and hear about new and more imaginative modes of torture every day. It is our aim at S.P.A.R.E. to prevent cruelty against all animals and to teach people that all living things must be treated with respect and compassion. We rescue, shelter and treat abused animals. We also campaign against unethical and cruel treatment of animals all over Egypt.” Below is more from their website about Egypt and animals.... Gandhi once said: “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” Today, a certain mentality amongst Egyptian culture regards humans as superior to all animals. Unfortunately to some, this translates into mistreating animals because they do not feel morally obliged to care for them. Ignorance has lead some to think that animals were created solely for the use of humans and are therefore to be treated without humanity. Images that would usually shock us such as dumping sheep into car trunks, crammed cattle in trucks without food and water, and extreme cruelty to donkeys and horses is now seen as normal. The truth behind “halal” slaughtering is not a secret anymore, thanks to YouTube and to those following animal rights movements in Egypt. Even despite several hadiths and verses in the Qur’an that preach the humane treatment towards animals, careless slaughtering still happens and animals are commonly dumped in piles, some of them still alive. According to the RSPCA, (Royal Society for the Prevention of Animal Cruelty) Australia placed an export ban on cattle after alleged mistreatment of cattle in Egypt . This included pushing cattle off trucks and stabbing them in the eyes and legs. READ MORE Albert felt nauseated after researching bear baiting for Jasper. He joins his friend in wondering, ‘Who are you people!?’  It Makes Me Sick - by B.Seeton In a recent article, activist Sharon Seltzer writes:
Undercover video captured “bear baying,” a practice so cruel that animal advocates thought it had been outlawed since the 1800’s. Hunters in rural South Carolina are popularizing the activity. Bear baying or “bear baiting” is the act of chaining a defenseless bear to a stake while a pack of dogs are released to attack the animal. Bears are either declawed or have their claws filed down and are defanged or have their teeth pulled. Activists compare the “staged fights” to those in the Roman Colosseum. Read More Also here's a video and story from the Huffington Post. Check out links to Sharon’s articles located on the right side of Jasper’s Blog. Sharon Seltzer is one of the founders of the animal rescue group, Heaven Can Wait Sanctuary, where they focus on aggressive spay/neuter programs and adoption of homeless pets. She and her husband share their home with three rescued dogs and three semi-feral cats.  Read an article by Sharon Seltzer
This is an excerpt from Sharon's story on CARE2 MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Wild horses are federally protected and cannot be sold in slaughter auctions. Feral domestic horses are not covered by the same laws. The two groups can look identical. Animal advocates and Congress want the Bureau of Land Management to explain the criteria they use to determine which horse gets to live and which horse will die. BLM’s policy came under fire after 172 mustangs from the 2010 Nevada roundups were sent to a slaughter auction in July. The auction was attended by buyers from slaughterhouses in Canada and Mexico. Animal advocates say the horses are federally protected mustangs. The horses at the auction were spared thanks to the efforts of Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue. The group and a few private citizens bought the horses. Now 57 members of Congress and wild horse advocates have asked for an investigation into BLM’s policies. |
 "Ask not what an animal can do for you; ask what you can do for an animal." Jasper
 Click to Read about Chippy and the Crew  Photos for sale as greeting cards or framed prints. Click to go to online Art Gallery.  A bee swarm - click here to see lots of terrific bee photos  Jasper holding the U.S. Flag - By Betsy Seeton -- Click to go to the Animal Legal Defense Fund and sign the Animal Bill of Rights  Click for a collection of ladybug photos  LEARN ABOUT YAKS 
 http://www.greenmuze.com/animals/wild/768-bear-bile-farming.html  Confiscated Skins and Wildlife at JFK Int'l Airport Photo from: http://www.laurelneme.com  DON'T BUY IVORY  CLICK TO READ MORE  Anatomy of a Tiger - Learn about the very real threat to these beautiful creatures "The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. They were not made for humans any more than black people were made for white, or women created for men." ~Alice Walker The source of the quote is Walker's preface to Marjorie Spiegel's 1988 book, "The Dreaded Comparison" . Her next sentence was, "This is the gist of Ms. Spiegel's cogent, humane and astute argument, and it is sound."  2014 Calendar For Sale Archives
February 2015
 Baking 101 with Albert "I was so moved by the intelligence, sense of fun and personalities of the animals I worked with on (the movie) Babe that by the end of the film I was a vegetarian." ~ James Cromwell  Elephant Care International ~~ Dedicated to the Healthcare & Conservation of Elephants  Categories
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 Chippy in Argentina working on animal abuse issues  |
